Collegiality in the classroom: The use of Peer Learning Assistants in cooperative learning in introductory biology

Students Engaged in Teaching

“…). These outcomes correlate with UPIs’ reported experiences and outcomes including higher grades, more efficient studying, better work ethics as employees, continuing to graduate school, becoming a better teacher, pursuing careers in college teaching, and learning how to best carry out group tasks (Groccia and Miller ).…”

“…Students who serve as instructors and those students who are exposed to peer instruction are more likely to achieve improved grades, increased grade point averages, retention, and graduation rates (Bodemer ). Students who have served as peer instructors may be more likely to obtain admission to graduate programs or explore higher quality employment prospects, including employment in college teaching (Boud, Cohen, and Sampson ; Groccia and Miller ; Sarquis et al. ; Stover et al.…”

Providing structure: The critical element

“…Among many positive outcomes, PIAS report learning how to help others, how to approach problems and think about alternative solutions, and how to better manage time. In addition, PLAs report improvement in their own academic performance (Groccia and Miller, 1996).…”

Extreme Learning Assistants: The Impact of an Authentic Teaching Experience on Undergraduate Physics Majors

“…Many schools use LAs within lecture or discussion sections to facilitate small-group discussion. In one pattern of LA use, an instructor or worksheet poses a question or problem to the class, and LAs join groups and use Socratic questioning methods to help the students think and discuss productively [1][2][3][4]. Some programs also use LAs outside of class to provide feedback on writing, lead small group discussions, or engage in other one-on-one small group interactions.…”